Traxxas TRX-1 racer buildup (updated 6/2/10)

[markt311]

In the side by side pic above, car on the left is Brandon's SWB car. My stock chassis TRX-1 is on the right. The truck chassis is different, the front kickup plate is wider. It's hard to tell in the picture but the SWB is about 1/2" shorter than the stock chassis.

[markt311]

I got a body that will work last night. It's one of Brandon's Pro-X repros. It doesn't have the flashy looks of the Batmobile-like original, But it looks racy and hugs the chassis perfectly.

The body just has a rough cut job on it now, so don't beat me up too bad.

[klavy69]

Cool. add another body to the trx1 chassis fitment chart. This one looks alot better than the dtx one I mentioned earlier...more like a buggy anyway. Can't wait to see the painted shell Mark...before you sell it to me anyway
Todd

[The Fuhrer]

Looks the goods. Will it fit the SWB chassis?

I was also wondering whether the J Concepts Bandit body would be a good fit.

[markt311]

The paint is the part that's scaring me, I usually get Brandon to paint my cars. He's got too many to paint, so I have to do this one on my own... it's only been 6 years or so since I painted a body.

I think it will fit the SWB, just a little more trimming. I can't compare since I gave that buggy back to it's owner.

The JC body looks cool, but I have been liking the looks of this Kyosho body so I went for it. BTW a Losi Pro SE body would fit good too.

[Bormac]

Mark that Kyosho body looks realy good on the TRX-1 chassis. It would be cool if there were an undertray mould made for it too. This would be easy enough to make.

[The Fuhrer]

Yep, the Losi body was very popular back in the day.

[Bormac]

So mark have you come across a new uncut TRX-1 shell anywhere? I remember passing up on one that sat on ebay for a ages a couple of years back. From the sounds of things Jay doesnt even have one of these.
Are Brandon's Kyosho Pro-X shells a good reproduction of the original?

[Brandon G]

What 's the story with the SWB chassis? Is the LWB from the blue eagle? And are the 2 cars pictured above SWB and LWB or just different chassis shapes?

Traxxas realized the problems with the TRX-1 and offered a fix as far as the chassis goes. It is a Traxxas chassis, shortened about 3/8 of an inch from the original. This was to help the car turn better on the tighter tracks. Seems lots of people used the later TRX-3 arms on the front to counteract the extreme width of the stock arms. I have them installed on my car as well. The short chassis also got rid of the extra mounting holes for the battery trays.

[markt311]

So mark have you come across a new uncut TRX-1 shell anywhere? I remember passing up on one that sat on ebay for a ages a couple of years back. From the sounds of things Jay doesnt even have one of these.
Are Brandon's Kyosho Pro-X shells a good reproduction of the original?

The ProX shell is very nice, the trim lines are very distinct. I didn't use the trim lines for this car but I easily could have. The side window outlines are a little faint, but you can make them out well enough to get the job done, I'm making my own window shapes though.

I should have it running in a week or 2, painted and complete... except for a SWB chassis, I'm still looking for one of those.

[Mr. ED]

if I understand the construction well, all you need is a saw and drill to make it SWB

Thanks for the enlightment BG

[harry697]

The "other board", funny I haven't been on there since I sold that other car lol. Now I need to find an LS2 to have my vintage Traxxas fix completed.

Yep, I check in the marketplace and vintage sections then head over here...usually takes about 2 minutes before I get to this board . Thats where I bought my first trx1
The thing I was thinkin of though is if you remember harry6897 from the 'other board' I believe he is selling his LS2 last I remember. I've gotten alot of stuff from him(Sam) and usually at a great price...just something to think about anyway. If you pm him there I'm sure he could get you some pix. Anyways nice lookin racer. Gotta get around to doing something with mine sometime this winter.
Todd

Thanks for putting the word out Todd.I just got around to joining this forum and I'm liking it already! Funny that an rc10 forum has more vintage Traxxas action going on than the 'other board' . Lots of nice vintage rides here.Almost makes me wanna go search ebay again.lol.

[markt311]

I can't buy anymore projects right now, I just picked up a truck I couldn't pass up Saturday. It's not vintage but it's HUGE!

[klavy69]

Mark,
Might have what you are after for a chassis on its way in the mail but are you lookin for brand spankin new or a nice runner? Won't know for sure til it gets here but will let you know...

Sam,
Good to see you got to a good vintage spot...that doesn't give you points for your opinions .

Todd

[markt311]

I just want nice runner stuff, I can't afford to build pretty shelf queens Know anybody that wants to buy an RC8T? I was looking at what it would cost to convert it to electric and I can't spend $600 on it.